Scotch

Bowmore 19 Year Old Cadenhead Dumpy 1980s

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OVERALL
RATING

9

Whisky Review: Bowmore 19 Year Old Cadenhead Dumpy 1980s

This Bowmore 19 Year Old, likely produced in the 1960s, reinforces the importance of the Stanley P. Morrison era.
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Tasting Notes:

About:
This Bowmore 19 Year Old was probably bottled in the 1980s, going by the bottle design – it is similar to Cadenheads that were on the market at the time. The search for a full sized bottle of this whisky for pricing purposes has been fruitless, so it is safe to say that this whisky is extremely rare. I often find Bowmore to be quite a divisive whisky. Let’s see how this one holds up.
Appearance:
Pale Straw
Nose:
Wow that has got some nose on it. Kumquats, sweetness, a hint of lime.
Palate:
That is stunning. Unbelievable. It has a sugary note and the distinctive kumquat flavor profile that carries through from the nose. A hint of citrus and sweet smoke.
Finish:
It lingers beautifully on the palate with that hint of sweetness and citrus at the back.
Comments:
This is a truly wonderful old Bowmore. I will be very surprised if I taste another, better whisky than that throughout the rest of 2024.

This Bowmore 19 Year Old Cadenhead miniature has proven to be something of a mystery. The full-sized bottle remains elusive, meaning that I cannot 100% confirm when this was bottled. However, it was likely bottled in the 1980s. As such, much like the Ardbeg 17 Year Old I reviewed last week, we can assume that the whisky was distilled sometime in the 1960s.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at Bowmore Distillery during that period.

Bowmore Distillery, founded in 1779 on the Isle of Islay, Scotland, is one of the oldest in the country and has a storied history. During the 1960s, Bowmore experienced significant developments under the ownership of Stanley P. Morrison, who purchased the distillery in 1963.

This era saw the introduction of more modern distilling techniques while maintaining traditional practices, such as the floor maltings which continue to this day. Morrison has become a legendary name in Bowmore’s history.

The 1960s also saw the distillation of the infamous Black Bowmore 1964, which has been released in multiple batches.

The 1970s were marked by innovation and accolades. In 1972, Bowmore built a new visitor center, one of the first in the industry. This represented a shift towards tourism and direct engagement with whisky drinkers. This decade also saw the creation of some of Bowmore’s most iconic and collectible expressions, which were later released as extremely sought-after vintages.

Entering the 1980s, Bowmore navigated the turbulent whisky market with resilience. Despite the global downturn in whisky sales, which led many distilleries to reduce production or close, Bowmore continued to distill its unique style of single malt.

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This Bowmore 19 Year Old, likely produced in the 1960s, reinforces the importance of the Stanley P. Morrison era. I doubt I will try another whisky this fine for a long, long time.

Vin PF

Vin PF is a UK-based whisky reviewer, recognized as the face of the "No Nonsense Whisky" YouTube channel. He specializes in creating concise and accessible whisky review videos and livestreams, offering honest and straightforward opinions that cut through the noise. Vin's reviews prioritize efficiency, delivering clear and to-the-point insights without any unnecessary fluff. He takes pride in maintaining an approachable and relaxed demeanor, free from any pretension.

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